Fabric Covered Pumpkins

What do you say we put an end to carving pumpkins once and for all! Let's cover them in fabric! Really cute fabric!

Watch my video tutorial made for Riley Blake Designs to see how it's done. You won't believe how easy it is!

 

Ruffle Skirt Tutorial

I had some really cute cotton fabric remnants from Riley Blake, so I decided to make my daughter a ruffle skirt. I searched online and found this tutorial by Dana Made It.

Layered Skirt by Dana Made It

Basically, for each ruffle layer, you have a ruffle and a connecting piece. I like this tutorial, but because my daughter wanted a longer skirt, I knew I needed to make some alterations. I ended up following the instructions by Dana Made it, but I added two layers. This skirt is very easy to make!

I also found this other tutorial which has you sew the underskirt first and then attach the ruffles. I have some denim knit that I think I'll use with this other tutorial. Any tips for sewing with knit?

Cotton Ribbon

What to do with Cotton Ribbon?

Have you seen cotton ribbon (also called cotton tape) floating around Etsy and Pinterest and found yourself scratching your head, wondering what it could possibly be used for?

Riley Blake Designs recently added a selection of cotton ribbon to the Sew Together product line and I just had to get some for my shop.  Aren't the cars just way too cute?  And I'm LOVING these little hexis and  measuring tape ribbon!

 

Unlike traditional polyester ribbon, cotton ribbon is not stiff, but extremely soft, flexible and easy to work with.

Recently I sewed up these little shirts for RBD using fabric from their upcoming Hipster collection.  I used the gray car ribbon as a decorative facing on the shirt collar.  I always like seeing a little hidden decorative element on the inside of a garment.  It just gives the feeling that a little extra care was put into it.  I also cut out one of the cars and used it as a little label on the front pocket.  Super cute!

Here are some cotton ribbon sightings that might get your creative wheels turning:

Pacifier Clip

Gift Wrap

Home Decor and Craft

Jewelry

Paper Craft

Pillow Embellishment 1

Pillow Embellishment 2

Bag Embellishment

More ideas to embellish:

child's backpack

apparel

hats

shoes

blankie

scrapbooking 

 

 

  

 

Pattern Review: Izzy & Ivy Addie Jo Skirt

This could be the easiest, fastest little twirly skirt I've ever made!

I decided to test the Izzy and Ivy Addie Jo skirt pattern.

This pattern has 5 different options.  I tried 3 of them: the middle view with the big bow in the back, the far left view showing 2 layers, and the far right view, which is just a single layer of fabric.

Each of the 3 options took about 1/2 hour to complete.  Now seriously, how can you beat that? 

Skirt #1 is the basic skirt on the far right of the pattern.

We're talking a waistband piece, a skirt piece and elastic.  Super easy!  My daughter wanted this for church, but loves it so much, she has been wearing it every day for play.  I LOVE how the Ombre Dots are darker at the hem and then fade as they reach the waist.

Fabric: Riley Blake Designs Ombre Dots

Skirt #2 has two skirt layers.  Because these are sewn to the waistband at the same time, this option didn't take any additional time to make.  I did decide to hand pleat the skirt rather than use gathers.  This is something I choose to do once in awhile to save time and because I really don't like making gathers!

Fabrics: Top layer is Michael Miller Spa Scallop

Bottom layer is Heather Bailey's Welcome Road in Pink

Skirt #3 features the big bow in the back.  This skirt is essentially made in the same manner as both skirts 1 & 2, except that the bow is sewn into the side seams.

Fabric:  Riley Blake Designs Hot Pink Ombre Dot

So that's the scoop!  I give this pattern an easy 2 thumbs up.  You get instant gratification with a quick, easy project and it's so darn cute, the lucky recipient will absolutely LOVE it! 

 

Not Your Average Polka Dot Dress!

This dress...

...is not your average polka dot dress...

It is made with Riley Blake Designs Hot Pink Ombre Dot fabric.  LOVE!  Ombre is a French word meaning "shadow" or "shade."  Notice in this dress how the dots are very saturated in the center and then fade out to a lighter shade at the edges.  This is the ombre effect.  I mentioned in a previous post my newly rekindled love for all things Navy Blue.  Here I made a navy blue piped trim to contrast with this gorgeous, youthful pink ombre dot.  

I also added piping to the front sides and waistline to really give the garment substance, structure and POP!

For this dress I used a vintage Simplicity 3811, circa 1950.

The tricky part when working with separate front, side bodice, and skirt pieces, while using a fabric that fades in and out like this was making sure to allow for the seam allowance on the skirt and bodice so that the fading/shading matched up just right with the center front piece.  It was important to match up the shading on the sleeves as well.

Ooookayyy, It seems our little model is done now - silly girl!  What do you think?  Now I'm thinking how cute this dress would be in orange...or aqua...or green...all paired up with navy blue trim, of course!

My shop is well stocked with this lovely ombre, so pop on over!

I Spy Ombre Dots!

Can you tell I love these fabrics?  Riley Blake Designs Chevron and Ombre fabrics are the hottest things to hit the market and we're starting to see them all over Pinterest and the Blogosphere!  Here are some of our most recent sightings:

Studio 5 recently did a great television segment featuring the Ombre Dots.

I have got to make that ruffle pillow!

http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=59&sid=21293879

True Up and The Fabric Shopper posted these great pictures from Quilt Market.

 

Pine Needles at Gardner Village posted this adorable pillowcase dress.

And finally, IHeart Organization is having an Ombre Dot and Chevron giveaway!